“I am disappointed with U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to place tariffs on all Canadian goods,” said Premier Danielle Smith in a statement Saturday.
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READ: Trump to slap Canada with 25 per cent tariffs Tuesday
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“This decision will harm Canadians and Americans alike, and strain the important relationship and alliance between our two nations.”
Smith said that Alberta will do everything in its power to convince the U.S. President and Congress, as well as the American people, to reverse this mutually destructive policy.
She said that the province notes the reduced 10% tariff for Canadian energy.
This is partially a recognition of the advocacy undertaken by the government and industry, to the U.S. Administration pointing out the substantial wealth created in the U.S.
She said this wealth was created by American companies, and tens of thousands of American workers that upgrade and refine approximately $100 billion of Canadian crude into $300 billion of product sold all over the world by those same U.S. companies.
“It is also worth noting that if oil and gas exports are excluded, the United States actually sells more to Canada than Canada sells to the U.S.,” she said.
“Canada buys more from the U.S. than any country on earth – more than U.K., France, Germany, Italy and Vietnam combined. There is, therefore, no economic justification for tariffs imposed on any Canadian goods,” she added.
“Alberta will continue our diplomatic efforts in the United States to persuade the U.S. President, lawmakers, Administration officials and the American people to lift all tariffs on Canadian goods as soon as possible and to repair our relationship with the United States.”
Smith encourages all Premiers and federal officials to do the same, especially as the effects of these tariffs begin to take their toll south of the border.
She said that Americans need to understand the detrimental consequences of this policy decision.
Alberta will also work collaboratively with the federal government and fellow provinces on a proportionate response to the imposed U.S. tariffs.
The province will do so through the strategic use of Canadian import tariffs on U.S. goods that are more easily purchased from Canada and non-U.S. suppliers.
Smith said that this will minimize costs to Canadian consumers while creating maximum impact south of the border.
She said that all funds raised from such import tariffs should go directly to benefit the Canadians most harmed by the imposed U.S. tariffs.
“Alberta will, however, continue to strenuously oppose any effort to ban exports to the U.S. or to tax our own people and businesses on goods leaving Canada for the United States,” she said.
“Such tactics would hurt Canadians far more than Americans.”
Smith said that also continued is Alberta’s call for the appointment of a border czar to coordinate the securing of the border against illegal migrants and drugs moving in both directions.
This is also to achieve the nation’s 2% of GDP NATO commitment by 2027.
“These things should be done for the safety of all Canadians regardless of our trade dispute with the United States,” she said.
“Despite the disappointment of today’s decision there is also an incredible opportunity before us as a nation,” she added.
“Canada can and must now come together in an unprecedented effort to preserve the livelihoods and futures of our people and expand our political and trade relationships across the globe.”
Smith said that Canada can no longer afford to be so heavily reliant on one primary customer.
She said that Alberta calls on the federal government and fellow provinces to immediately commence a national effort to fast track and build oil and gas pipelines to the east and west coasts of Canada.
She also called to construct multiple LNG terminals on each coast, increase internal refining capacity, unleash the development of critical minerals, lower taxes, and reduce red tape.
She said interprovincial trade barriers need to be torn down and provinces should be re-empowered to develop their unique economies, without constant federal interference and imposition of anti-resource development laws.
“We must stop limiting our prosperity and inflicting economic wounds on ourselves,” she said.
“Rather, we must unleash the true economic potential of our country, which possesses more wealth and natural resources than any other nation on earth.”
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